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The architectural forms of forms of a group of Cupressus sempervirens 'Totem Pole', The Italian Totem Pole Pencil cypress.

Mediterranean,Style,Garden,With,Cypress,Tree,,Cabbage,Tree,And,European

The stunning upright forms of a group of Cupressus sempervirens, The Italian Pencil cypress.Partenit, Crimea.

Cupressus sempervirens

Pencil Cypress, Italian Cypress

Code	Temp	Category	Description
1	15C+	Indoor	Grow as a houseplant or under heated glass.
2	10 to 15C+	Indoor / Outdoor	Grow indoors, or outdoors in summer in a sheltered spot
3	5 to 10C	Tender	Grow outdoors in summer, and in a heated glasshouse in winter.
4	1 to 5C	Tender	Grow outdoors or under glass without risk of frost.
5	-5 to 1C	Half-Hardy	Hardy in coastal/mild/sheltered areas. Will not tolerate hard/sudden frost. May require winter protection in situ. such as fleece or straw mulch.
6	-10 to -5C	Hardy	May suffer at altitude, central/northerly locations, harsh winters, cold gardens and when grown in pots.
7	-15 to -10C+	Hardy	Will survive most severe winters but may be at risk in central/northerly locations and in pots. Top growth may be destroyed but will usually re-grow.
8	-20 to -15C	Hardy	Will survive severe winter, but may need protection when grown in pots.
9	-20C & Colder	Very Hardy / Hardy	in the severest European climates.

Price range: £19.99 through £24.99

SKU: 415458-1

Available Options

Thumbnail	Size	Delivery	Stock	Price	Quantity
	3Ltr	Standard	In Production	£19.99	Cupressus sempervirens quantity
	5Ltr	Large	In Production	£24.99	Cupressus sempervirens quantity

At a Glance

Colour	Green
Foliage type	Evergreen
Habit	Columnar, Compact, Upright
Light requirement	Sun
Location	Garden plant
Plant Type	Tree
Scent	Aromatic foliage, Aromatic wood or bark
Season of interest	Multi-seasonal
Soil PH	Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Type	Chalk, Clay, Loam, Poor/dry, Sand

Garden Styles for Cupressus sempervirens

Coastal, Contemporary, English Country, Mediterranean

Family Cupressaceae
Originating from E. Mediterranean to Iran

A slender, upright conifer with dark evergreen foliage
Naturally pencil-shaped, a classic Italian landscape icon
Fully hardy in most of the UK, ideal for formal accents

Straight from the sun-drenched hills of the Mediterranean, Cupressus sempervirens brings Italian charm to UK gardens as an Italian cypress formal garden star. Its slender, upright form and dark green foliage call up Tuscan views, making it a top pick for structure or grand entrances.

For example, it grows to 2.5m x 30 cm in 5–6 years and 6m x 50cm in 10–15 years, so its pencil-thin shape fits an Italian cypress formal garden design. Also, it’s fully hardy in most of the UK and thrives in well-drained soil with full sun.

Care Tips for Cupressus sempervirens:

Soil & Sun: Needs well-drained soil, but will tolerate heavy clay once established—full sun’s a must
Planting: Perfect for borders or large planters, suits formal entrances or doorways
Watering: Tolerates drought once established, low fuss
Pruning: Trim in late spring to maintain its pencil shape—no gloves needed

The Italian cypress adds timeless charm to any garden. Its sentry-like form gives a cool, simple feel to modern designs, especially when used in numbers, repeating for continuity in planting designs.

Because of its bold upright accent, it contrasts well with soft shapes of Choisya dewitteana ‘Aztec Pearl’, Myrtus communis subspecies. tarentina ‘Microphylla’ or Pittosporum tenuifolium ‘Bannow Bay’,

Additionally it frames and contrasts with open and airy species such as Callistemon paludosus Purple Flowered, Callistemon ‘Packers Selection’ and Phormium ‘Black Velvet’.

Dive deeper in our Encyclopedia page, or explore more at https://treesandshrubsonline.org/articles/cupressus/cupressus-sempervirens/.